Tag Archives: New Edgecliff Theatre

June 18, 2015 · 12:45 pm

Resident Costume Designer Sought by New Edgecliff Theatre

NETNew Edgecliff Theatre is seeking a resident costume designer/costumer for their 2015-16 Season. Shows include FRANKIE AND JOHNNY IN THE CLARE DE LUNE, THE SANTALAND DIARIES and THE SHAPE OF THINGS. We will be conducting interviews Tuesday June 23 starting at 7 p.m.

Duties of this position include:

  • Work with the Director of the Production to develop and communicate the overall conceptual approach to the production.
  • Work with the Director of the Production to identify costume pieces which are needed for the production.
  • Design costumes that reinforce the production concept, works within the logistical parameters, within the budget available, and will be appropriate for the production.
  • Attend meetings with technical staff (lighting designer, sound designer, props master) to communicate the designs for costumes, and collaborate with the lighting, sound, properties, and scenic elements as they relate to the costumes.
  • Assist the Director of the Production, Theatre Production Manager, Technical Director, and Stage Management staff to create an overall rehearsal and production calendar.
  • Attend all production meetings for assigned shows.
  • Work with the costume interns to coordinate costume construction, purchasing, rentals and alterations, and to solve problems encountered in the entire process.
  • Collaborate with Production Manager to continuously monitor the costume budget to ensure fiscal accountability as it relates to the building process.
  • Make adjustments to the costume plot as needed to reinforce the production concepts, to accommodate the needs of the directing team, and stay within the timeframe and budget available.
  • Provide a safe working atmosphere for themselves, performers, crew, and anyone who comes into contact with the production.
  • Finalize the entire costume plot, ensure the final alterations are complete, and create a final countdown list of what needs to be finished before the first dress rehearsal.
  • Work with the complete production staff in the final phase of the rehearsal process (tech week) to accomplish a unified and seamless production that reflects the overall production concept.
  • Attend and actively participate in all technical rehearsals.
  • Attend and actively participate in the planning and execution of strike.
  • Attend the “post mortem” once the production is complete to evaluate the process and the final product.

If you are interested in interviewing for the position, please send your resume and any images of or links to images of your work to jstump@newedgecliff.com.

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May 29, 2015 · 10:19 am

New Edgecliff Theatre Tony Party at Tillie’s in Northside‏

NETNew Edgecliff Theatre will celebrate American Theatre’s biggest night of the year with a Tony Party Fundraiser at Tillie’s Lounge in Northside on Sunday June 7. Festivities will begin at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $25.

The evening will feature the simulcast of the annual Tony Awards Ceremony from New York City and include Tony Nominee themed appetizers, entertainment, a cash bar and the traditional Tony Award Pool. Each guest will receive a form listing all the Tony Nominees from the televised ceremony. They will then select a winner in each category. The person who has the most correct guesses will win a pair of tickets to the opening night Pippin, part of the 2015-16 Broadway in Cincinnati Series at the Aronoff Center, and a $50 gift certificate to Taste of Belgium.

Tillie’s Lounge is Northside’s newest nightspot recently opened by Nigel Cotterill and J.C. Diaz. The duo also ownBelow Zero Lounge in Over the Rhine. Located at 4042 Hamilton Avenue, the lounge is named for Tillie the elephant of the Terrace Park-based Robinson Circus, a popular traveling show in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She once paraded down the streets of Northside and she had a larger-than-life story, even for an elephant. When she died on Jan. 17, 1932, it was front page news in The Enquirer, which noted her “heroic deeds, service to humanity and outstanding achievements in her role as an entertainer.”

For reservations call 513.399.6638

New Edgecliff Theatre Tony Party Fundraiser
Presented by New EdgecliffTheatre June 7, 2015,7:00pm
Tillies Lounge, 4024 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223

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May 25, 2015 · 3:35 pm

NET Announces Season 18 Auditions and Interviews

NETCINCINNATI, OH – May 21, 2015 – The season will open with Terrence McNally’s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and will continue with The Santaland Diaries by Joe Mantello based on the writings of David Sedaris and The Shape of Things by Neil LaBute. “These plays are about how people see the world and how each person’s view can affect another’s,” says Producing Artistic Director Jim Stump. “Our perceptions of our world are constantly evolving. And more often than not, it’s the people in our lives who change them … for better or for worse.”

In addition to their regular season, New Edgecliff Theatre will also produce their annual Sweet Suspense Radio Drama Fundraiser this year featuring the classic suspense story of Strangers on a Train. This special performance directed by New Edgecliff Theatre’s Artistic Associate Bob Allen will feature live sound effects from Radio Heritage’s Mike Martini and special dessert buffet.

New Edgecliff Theatre will be holding season auditions for these shows Monday June 8 and Tuesday June 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Dramakinetics studios at 4222 Hamilton Avenue in Northside.

To schedule an audition, email a headshot and resume and the day(s) and time(s) you are available to auditions@newedgecliff.com. Actors will be asked to read scenes from the scripts. Call backs will be scheduled later. For more information on the auditions, visit the New Edgecliff Theatre Facebook page or newedgecliff.com.

New Edgecliff Theatre will also be interviewing for their Resident Set Designer. Interviews will be held June 16 and 17 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Interested parties should send a letter of intent along with their resume and samples of their work to Jim Stump at jstump@newedgecliff.com

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April 15, 2015 · 6:20 pm

LCT Review of RACE

LCT_VThis review has been reposted courtesy of the League of Cincinnati Theatres. For more LCT reviews click here to visit their reviews page.

Was the sexual encounter rape? Was the rape racially motivated? And how important are sequins in determining the truth of the matter?

These questions are raised in the latest outing from New Edgecliff Theater, David Mamet’s play Race. This taut hour and forty-five minute play examines the truth behind the story of a billionaire who is accused of raping an African-American woman with whom he was having sexual relations. Beneath the surface of these events, Race forces us to look at ourselves and what lies in our conscious and unconscious with regard to race relations.

Robert Allen as Charles Strickland, Reggie Willis as Henry Brown & Michael Shooner as Jack Lawson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Robert Allen as Charles Strickland, Reggie Willis as Henry Brown & Michael Shooner as Jack Lawson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Playing the legal team who agrees to take on the case are Michael Shooner and Reggie Willis as lawyers Jack Lawson and Henry Brown. Both Shooner and Willis deliver strong performances as the racially mixed law firm who agrees to defend the billionaire accused of rape. Mamet’s script is filled with sharp wordplay and quick exchanges and Shooner and Willis tussle their way through it all with verbal fireworks.

Shooner had several memorable speeches about the constructed nature of reality as it relates to creating narratives for the courtroom that are a marvel to watch. In those scenes, he was so much in character that he made me believe he was Jack Lawson, ultra-cynical lawyer. Similarly, Willis’ opening comments where he lays out his character’s views of race and the law are very strong and likewise memorable.

Rounding out the ensemble is Renika Williams, who plays the African-American legal assistant Susan, and Bob Allen, who plays the billionaire accused of rape. Williams did a solid job playing the legal assistant, who has mixed feelings about her firm taking this case. This was my first time seeing Williams on stage, who will graduate from Wright State University this spring. She turns in a fine performance and I look forward to seeing more of her onstage in the future.

Bob Allen played the billionaire Charles Strickland with a nice mixture of recalcitrance and bewilderment. Like a man who is used to getting his way, he is completely dumbstruck by the accusation and does his best to gum up the works of his legal team. I have seen Bob Allen in a variety of different roles over the years, so it was a pleasure seeing him in a role that was out of the ordinary—and also sporting a full head of hair!

On the evening I saw the production, there were a few minor problems (such as the accidental breaking of a glass candy dish) which I attribute to opening weekend jitters.   However, the essential strength of the play comes forth despite these minor problems. Much of that success has to be contributed to the director, Northern Kentucky University Professor Daryl Harris. Harris knows how to move his actors through the emotional minefields inherent within the play and get the most out of them.

Race is part of a larger offering of productions this spring by Greater Cincinnati theaters dealing with the issues of race and the African-American experience. This play is a thought-provoking addition to that lineup, which includes Buzzer at the Playhouse, Detroit ’67 at Ensemble Theater, and In the Heat of the Night by Falcon.

Powerful writing, great acting, good direction make this a must-see production. Race is playing within The Hoffner Lodge, 4120 Hamilton Avenue, Northside from April 10-April

For more information on the production, click here.

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April 15, 2015 · 3:45 pm

RACE Review

Links to all reviews can be found using the REVIEWS link at the top of the page. Blog postings, links and more are available on my Facebook fan page. You can also receive updates on Twitter from @BTCincyRob.

Robert Allen as Charles Strickland. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Robert Allen as Charles Strickland. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

RACE presented by New Edgecliff Theatre through April 25. Click here for more information on the production. I attended the opening night performance.

For its final show of the season, NET tackles a contemporary look at the “race” in a play by David Mamet. Commenting on his own work, Mamet has said the “theme is race and the lies we tell each other on the subject.” At the beginning, the theme is discussed clinically as an experienced attorney shares his legal-wisdom with his young protege. But when the theme turns personal, lines are quickly drawn between the characters.

Michael Shooner as Jack Lawson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Michael Shooner as Jack Lawson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

The four-person ensemble is solid across the board. Tackling a Mamet play is not an easy undertaking with its dense dialogue. Opening night, there were times when it felt like the cast was not quite on top of the script yet.

As the accused Charles Strickland, Robert Allen brings a great presence to the character. He is all indignation and wounded pride. There were moments when this came off as defensive which made me think the character was guilty of something. Perhaps a bit of rich man arrogance and swagger would have diffused that a bit at the beginning of the play.

Reggie Willis as Henry Brown. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Reggie Willis as Henry Brown. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Jack Lawson, one of the defense attorneys, is portrayed by Michael Shooner. Jack tends to wear his arrogance like an accessory. I thought Lawson’s mentoring relationship with Susan was very believable and yet contained a hint on inappropriateness that worked for the character.

Renika Williams as Susan. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Renika Williams as Susan. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Reggie Willis plays the other defense attorney, Henry Brown. I enjoyed how he would allow Jack to lead the interaction when dealing with Strickland, but clearly showed he was an equal partner when their client wasn’t present. Henry’s animosity toward Susan made sense, but initially it seemed a bit harsh. Perhaps if it built a little more.

Rounding out the cast is Renika Williams as young attorney Susan. Williams does well in holding her own against her peers. I wouldn’t have minded to see Susan a bit more grounded with a bigger chip on her shoulder. There were a few times Susan’s reactions seemed more appropriate to the actor’s age than the character’s.

Robert Allen as Charles Strickland, Reggie Willis as Henry Brown & Michael Shooner as Jack Lawson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Robert Allen as Charles Strickland, Reggie Willis as Henry Brown & Michael Shooner as Jack Lawson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Daryl Harris’ solid hand and knowledge of the material is visible in his direction of the actors. He also handles the performance space well, finding every opportunity to naturally move the action away from the stage left table to balance out the staging.

Set designer Rachel Kuhn uses the Hoffner Lodge space well. With the main floor being an over-sized conference room, she created two playing contrasting playing areas. By hanging material between the poles of the balcony, she smartly uses silhouette to depict the office area above.

Renika Williams as Susan & Michael Shooner as Jack Lawson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Renika Williams as Susan & Michael Shooner as Jack Lawson. Photo by Mikki Schaffner.

Both prop master Mary Gascho and costume designer Sherry Amott Tippey do well in presenting “wealth” on a limited budget. The only costume that read less than ideal for me was Strickland’s first suit.

Overall, a well-executed, interesting and at times, intense drama.

My rating: 4 out of 5

I would enjoy hearing what you think about the show or my review. All I ask is that you express your opinion without attacking someone else’s opinion. You can post your comments below.

 

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